Wiper blade for glass surfaces and associated method of making

ABSTRACT

A wiper blade having a rubber element for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross and a method of making the blade utilizes a brush element having a plurality of bristles having ends for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross. The brush element is joined alongside the rubber element to form a unitary structure therewith so that as the wiper blade is moved across the glass, the ends of the bristles and the rubber element move in engagement with the glass.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to vehicle parts and accessories andrelates, more particularly, to wiper blades used for cleaning glasssurfaces of vehicles and methods of making such blades.

Conventional wiper blades used for wiping glass surfaces of vehicleshave heretofore been constructed of a smooth, flexible material, such asrubber, which is intended to clean the glass surface as the wiper bladepasses repeatedly back and forth across the glass surface. However, somesubstances (such as bugs or bird dropping) which occasionally come intocontact with the glass surfaces of a vehicle are difficult for commonwiper blades to remove. It would therefore be desirable to provide animproved wiper blade which is capable of removing hard-to-removesubstances from the glass surface of a vehicle—whether the glass is dryor wetted.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved wiper blade which is capable of removing hard-to-removematerial from the glass surfaces of a vehicle more easily than doesconventional wiper blades and a method of making the wiper blade.Exemplary applications for such a wiper blade include the windshield andother glass surfaces (such as headlamps) of commercial and privatevehicles including, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, aricraft,boats, construction and farm machinery, and motorcycles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a wiper bladewhich is capable of cleaning glass surfaces of a vehicle with fewer backand forth passes than would otherwise be required with a wiper blade ofconventional construction and which is capaple of cleaning glasssurfaces whether the glass surfaces are in a dry or wetted condition.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a wiperblade which embodies a material for brushing hard-to-remove materialfrom the glass surface of a vehicle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a wiperblade which be used to clean the glass surfaces, such as windshield orlamp surfaces, on any of a number of vehicles.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a wiperblade which is uncomplicated in structure, yet effective in operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention resides in a wiper blade having a rubber element forengaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross and a method ofmaking the blade.

The improvement of the wiper blade is characterized by a brush elementhaving a plurality of bristles having ends for engaging glass as thewiper blade is moved thereacross. In addition, the brush element isjoined alongside the rubber element to form a unitary structuretherewith so that as the wiper blade is moved across the glass, the endsof the bristles and the rubber element move in engagement with theglass.

The method of the invention includes the steps involved in assemblingthe wiper blade of the present invention. Initially, a wiper bladeportion is provided which includes a spine portion and at least onerubber element attached to the spine portion and a distal end portionwhich is adapted to engage the surface of glass as the blade is movedthereacross. A brush portion is also provided which includes a body anda plurality of bristles which are joined to so as to extend from saidbody and wherein the extending bristles are adapted to engage thesurface of glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross. The body ofthe brush portion is then attached to the wiper blade portion so thatthe brush portion and the wiper blade portion form a unitary structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle and a wiper blade assemblyshown utilized for cleaning the windshield glass of the vehicle whereinthe wiper blade assembly includes a wiper blade which embodies featuresof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a major portion of the wiper bladeassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of a transverse cross section of the wiper blade ofFIG. 1 taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 illustrating anotherembodiment of a wiper blade.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 illustrating still anotherembodiment of a wiper blade, shown exploded.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 illustrating yet anotherembodiment of a wiper blade.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, but showing the blade ofFIG. 3 being used to clean the surface of glass.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings in greater detail and considering first FIG.1, there is illustrated a vehicle 18 having a windshield 19 and awindshield wiper blade assembly 20 for cleaning, or wiping, thewindshield 19 as the assembly 20 is passed back and forth across theglass surface of the windshield 19 in the directions indicated by thearrow 23. Embodied within the wiper blade assembly 20 is a wiper blade22 which incorporates features of the present invention and whichengages the surface of the windshield during use. As will be apparentherein, the wiper blade 22 includes cleaning elements, described herein,which clean the windshield surface as the assembly 20 is passed back andforth across the windshield 19.

With reference to FIG. 2, the windshield wiper blade assembly 20includes an arm assembly 24 including a plurality of linkage members,described herein which are joined together in a manner known in the artto permit the linkage members to pivot relative to one another about themidpoints thereof. Such linkage members include a main member 26, twosecondary members 28 are pivotally joined to the ends of the main member26 and four tertiary members 30 which are pivotally joined to the endsof the secondary members 28. In addition, the wiper blade assembly 20includes attachment means in the form of a clip 32 which accommodatesthe attachment to (and detachment from) the arm, indicated 21 in FIG. 1,of a windshield wiper of the vehicle windshield 19.

Associated with each end of the tertiary members 30 is a channel member33 (best shown in FIG. 3) positionable about a portion (as shown in FIG.3) of the wiper blade 22. Collectively, the channel members 33 provide aguide channel into a portion of the wiper blade 22 can be insertedendwise and subsequently secured for attaching the blade 22 to theremainder of the wiper blade assembly 22. In this connection, the wiperblade 22 includes a spine portion 34 (best shown in FIG. 3) whichextends longitudinally of the blade 22 and has outwardly extending ribsections 36, 37 which are slidably positioned within the guide channelformed by the channel members 33 of the tertiary members 30. The spineportion 34 can be reinforced (against bending and compression forces)with a thin metal strip 38 which includes a central slit for acceptingthe mid-section of the spine portion 34 disposed between the ribsections 36, 37.

It is a feature of the depicted wiper blade 22 that it includes a brushelement and at least one rubber element which are joined together in aunitary structure. For example and with reference to FIG. 2, thedepicted wiper blade 22 includes a pair of rubber elements 40 betweenwhich is sandwiched a brush element 42. Each rubber element 40 includesa proximal end portion 44 which is joined to the spine portion 34 alongthe length thereof and a distal end portion 46 which extends away fromthe spine portion 34. Similarly, the brush element 42 includes aproximal end portion 48 which is joined to the spine portion 34 and adistal end portion 50 which extends away from the spine portion 34.

Associated with the proximal end portion 48 of the brush element 42 is abody 52, and there is associated with the distal end portion 50 of thebrush element 42 a plurality of straight bristles 54 which are joined atone end to the body 52 and have opposite, or free, ends 56 which extendfrom the body 52.

The brush element 42 (comprised of both the body 52 and brush element54) is constructed of Nylon or another copolymer material suitable forbrushing (e.g. in a brushing or scrubbing action) the surface of glasswhen the brush element 42 is moved thereacross and which possesses arelatively high resistance to wear to thereby enhance the usable life ofthe brush element 42. Furthermore, the brush element 42 is incapable ofabsorbing water or other fluids to help prevent mold growth in or aroundthe brush element 42.

With reference still to FIG. 3, the proximal end portion 44 of eachrubber element 40 has a width which is slightly larger than themore-pointed distal end 46 to provide the transverse cross-sectionalshape of each rubber element 40 with a tapered form. Each rubber element40 is constructed of a soft rubber-like material (such as rubber or asynthetic rubber used in conventional wiper blade refills) which isresistant to wear yet suitable for wiping the surface of glass cleanwhen wiped thereacross. Accordingly and as used herein, the term“rubber” used in the phrase “rubber element” is intended to encompassall rubber-like substances, and not just natural rubber.

Preferably and to facilitate construction of the wiper blade 22, both ofthe rubber elements 40 and the spine portion 34 are formed (e.g. molded)as a single piece so that the rubber-like material which comprises therubber elements 40 is the same as the material which comprises the spineportion 34.

To join the brush element 42 to the remainder of the wiper blade 22(comprised, in particular, a single piece including both of the rubberelements 40 and the spine portion 34, the body 52 of the brush portion42 is directed between the rubber elements 40 so that the body 52 abutsthe spine portion 34 and so that the free ends 56 of the brush portion42 extend out from between the rubber elements 40, and the body 52 ofthe brush portion 42 is securely attached in place between the rubberelements 40. As exemplified by a wiper blade embodiment 70 of FIG. 4(having many of the same components as the blade 22 of FIGS. 1-3), suchan attachment can be effected by directing a shanked fastener element 60through the rubber elements 40 and the body 52 adjacent the distal end46 of the rubber elements 40 at spaced intervals along the length of theblade 22.

In the alternative and as exemplified by a wiper blade embodiment 72 ofFIG. 5 (having many of the same components as the blade 22 of FIGS.1-3), a suitable adhesive 62 can be applied along the inside surfaces ofthe rubber elements 40 adjacent the distal end 46 thereof so that whenthe body 52 of the brush portion 42 is directed between the rubberelements 40 into abutting relationship with the spine portion 34 and therubber elements 40 are pressed against the surfaces of the body 52 ofthe brush portion 42, the brush portion 42 is adhesively secured inplace between the rubber elements 40.

As a still further alternative and as exemplified by a wiper bladeembodiment 74 of FIG. 6 (having many of the same components as the blade22 of FIGS. 1-3), the brush portion 42 can be formed in conjunction withthe formation of the remainder of the wiper blade 22 (comprising spineportion 34 and both rubber elements 40) in an injection or extrudedmolding process so that the relative shape of the elements places theelements interlocking relationship. In such an instance, the brushportion 42 is formed in a molding process and then directed between therubber elements 40 as the remainder of the blade 22 is formed in amolding process. To facilitate the attachment of the brush portion 42 tothe remainder of the blade 22, the body 52 of the brush portion 42 canbe formed with outwardly-extending ribs, or wings 64 (FIG. 6), which arecaptured within the walls of the rubber elements 40 as the rubberelements 40 are formed along the opposite sides of the brush portionbody 52. With the body 52 thereby captured between the rubber elements40, the brush portion 42 is interlocked with the rubber elements 40 andresists any unintentional separation of the brush portion 62 from theremainder of the wiper blade 22.

During use and with reference to FIG. 7, the wiper blade 22 is passedsideways (e.g. in the direction of the arrow 66) across the window glass68 of a vehicle to be cleaned so that the leading rubber element 40engages the surface of the glass 40 and is followed by, in sequence, thefree ends 56 of the brush element 42, and then the trailing rubberelement 40 which also engage the surface of the glass. When the wiperblade 22 is reversed in direction across the surface of the glass 68,the leading rubber element 40 becomes the trailing rubber element 40,and vice versa. It has been found that the wiper blade 22, due to itsinclusion of the brush portion 42, enhances the glass-cleaningcapabilities of the blade 22 and cleans glass surfaces whether the glasssurfaces are in a dry or wetted condition. Accordingly, the wiper blade22 is advantageous in these respects.

The applications for the wiper blade 22 include those in which glasswiper blades are currently in use. Such examples include, but are notlimited to, the windshield and other glass surfaces (such as headlamps)of commercial and private vehicles including automobiles, trucks,aircraft, boats, construction and farm machinery, and motorcycles.

It will be understood that numerous modifications and substitutions canbe had to the aforedescribed embodiment without departing from thespirit of the invention. For example, although the aforedescribedembodiment 22 has been shown and described as including two rubberelements 40 which are positioned on opposite sides of the brush portion42, a wiper blade constructed in accordance with the broader aspects ofthis invention can include only one rubber element.

Furthermore, the aforedescribed wiper blade 22 can be fitted within thechannel members 33 (FIG. 3) in a manner which accommodates a movement(e.g. a longitudinal shifting movement) of the blade 22 relative to thewiper blade arm 24 as the blade 22 is passed back and forth across thevehicle glass 19 during use to effect a scrubbing of the glass by thebrush element 42. Such a permitted movement of the blade 22 can beeffected by providing a central slit within the thin metal strip 38(about which the channel members 33 are positioned) which is long enoughto accommodate the aforedescribed longitudinal shifting of the blade 22relative to the wiper arm 24. Accordingly, the aforedescribed embodiment22 is intended for the purpose of illustration and not as limitation.

1. In a wiper blade having a rubber element for engaging glass as thewiper blade is moved thereacross, the improvement comprising: a brushelement having a plurality of bristles having ends for engaging glass asthe wiper blade is moved thereacross, the brush element being joinedalongside the rubber element to form a unitary structure therewith sothat as the wiper blade is moved across the glass, the ends of thebristles and the rubber element move in engagement with the glass. 2.The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the brush element isattached to the rubber element with a shanked fastener element.
 3. Theimprovement as defined in claim 1 wherein the brush element is attachedto the rubber element with an adhesive.
 4. The improvement as defined inclaim 1 wherein the brush element includes portions which are capturedby the rubber element to thereby attach the brush element to the rubberelement.
 5. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the brushelement and rubber elements are shaped so as to interlock with oneanother when the wiper blade is assembled.
 6. An elongated wiper bladeattachable to the arm of a wiper blade assembly for cleaning the surfaceof glass in a vehicle as the blade is passed back and forth across theglass, the blade comprising: a spine portion which extends along thelength of the blade and which is adapted to be connected to the arm of awiper blade; a rubber element which is attachably joined to the spineportion and has a distal end portion which extends from the spineportion for engaging the surface of glass when the wiper blade is movedthereacross; and a brush element having a plurality of bristles havingends for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross, thebrush element being joined to the remainder of the wiper blade andalongside the rubber element to form a unitary structure therewith andso that as the wiper blade is moved across the glass, the ends of thebristles move in engagement therewith.
 7. The wiper blade as defined inclaim 6 wherein the brush element is attached to the rubber element witha shanked fastener element.
 8. The wiper blade as defined in claim 6wherein the brush element is attached to the rubber element with anadhesive.
 9. The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein the brushelement includes portions which are captured by the rubber element tothereby attach the brush element to the rubber element.
 10. The wiperblade as defined in claim 6 wherein the brush element and rubberelements are shaped so as to interlock with one another when the wiperblade is assembled.
 11. The wiper blade as defined in claim 6 whereinthe brush element is constructed of a copolymer material.
 12. The wiperblade as defined in claim 6 wherein the rubber element is a first rubberelement, and the wiper blade further includes a second rubber elementwhich is attachably joined to the spine portion and has a distal endportion which extends from the spine portion for engaging the surface ofglass when the wiper blade is moved thereacross; and the brush elementis disposed between the first and second rubber elements and securedthereto to form a unitary structure.
 13. The wiper blade as defined inclaim 12 wherein the ends of the bristles of the brush element aredisposed in such a positional relationship to the distal end portions ofthe rubber elements so that as the wiper blade is moved across theglass, the ends of the bristles and the distal end portions of therubber elements engage the surface of the glass.
 14. A method for makinga wiper blade for cleaning the surface of glass in a vehicle, the methodcomprising: providing a wiper blade portion including a spine portionand at least one rubber element attached to the spine portion and adistal end portion which is adapted to engage the surface of glass asthe blade is moved thereacross; providing a brush portion including abody and a plurality of bristles which are joined to so as to extendfrom said body and wherein the extending bristles are adapted to engagethe surface of glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross; andattaching the body of the brush portion to the wiper blade portion sothat the brush portion and the wiper blade portion form a unitarystructure.
 15. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the method ofattaching is effected with a fastener element having a shank whichextends through the body of the brush element and the rubber element.16. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the method of attaching iseffected with an adhesive which adheres the body of the brush element toa surface of the rubber element.
 17. The method as defined in claim 14wherein the method of attaching involves the formation of the brushelement with portions which are captured by the rubber element.